I need one made in Australia. The ones I’ve found all contain parabens. So I wondered, are parabens actually all that bad? The European Union Cosmetic Products Directive doesn’t have a problem with them. But some people (and natural cosmetics manufacturers) say parabens are harmful. I don’t believe everything I read on the web until I’ve found more evidence.

Parabens are absorbed through intact skin and from the gastrointestinal tract and blood. UK researchers found measurable concentrations of six different parabens in 20 human breast tumors. The study highlights the need for more research on the potential link between products containing parabens and increased breast cancer risk.

A description of the UK study [1] is at PubMed. In research terms, one study with a sample of 20 tumors doesn’t prove much. The study only looked at breast tumors. For results to indicate increased cancer risk, healthy breast tissue needs to be included and a larger sample studied. One such study was Antiperspirant Use and the Risk of Breast Cancer [2] (with a sample of 1600).

Parabens are considered to be safe because of their low toxicity profile and their long history of safe use; however, a few recent controversial studies have begun to challenge this view. Studies on the acute, subchronic, and chronic effects in rodents indicate that parabens are practically non-toxic. Parabens are rapidly absorbed, metabolized, and excreted.

it is biologically implausible that parabens could increase the risk of any estrogen-mediated endpoint, including effects on the male reproductive tract or breast cancer…Worst-case daily exposure to parabens would present substantially less risk relative to exposure to naturally occurring EACs in the diet such as the phytoestrogen daidzein. [3]

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One thought on “To paraben or not”

Great article! Consumers are wise to avoid potentially hazardous ingredients such as parabens. But they also want skin care that nourishes their skin to keep it soft, healthy and radiant. I found a product that gives you all of that and more at http://GoodSugars.net/SkinCare.